Fall is the season of vibrant leaves, cozy sweaters, and… Green tomatoes?

If you’ve ever been a bit overzealous with your tomato planting and found yourself with an abundance of Green Tomatoes as the cooler weather sets in, have no fear. Ripening these green beauties is actually much easier than you might think.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, green tomatoes don’t have to be a fall frustration. With these simple techniques, you can turn those stubborn green gems into delicious red delights.

Get To The Root Of Your Tomato’s Needs

Green tomatoes are, well, green because they lack the warmth and sun needed to ripen naturally on the vine as the weather cools. So, understanding their needs allows us to create the ideal environment for them.

Tomatoes ripen from the inside out, so even if they’re green on the outside, they can still be ripening within. Patience and a little TLC will get them there.

The Paper Bag Trick

One tried-and-true method is using a paper bag. All you need is the bag and another already-ripened fruit– like a banana or apple.

First, choose your tomatoes wisely. Pick the ones that are mostly green without any spots or defects. Then, throw them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple, sit back, and relax.

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You will want to check up on your tomatoes regularly since this process takes about a week. So, take a peek every day or two to keep a pulse on their progress. Soon, you’ll be amazed as your tomatoes become a gorgeous red, and it’ll be time to slice them up for a salad or sandwich.

The Windowsill Technique

For those who prefer to keep more of a keen eye on things, the good old windowsill might be the way to go. Simply select a sunny windowsill in your house that gets plenty of indirect light. Then, head out to your garden, gather your green bounty, and line up the tomatoes on your windowsill stem side down to avoid bruising.

Aside from having to turn the tomatoes occasionally, you’ll get to watch as the tomatoes gradually turn from green to red right before your eyes with little effort.

When Life Gives You Green Tomatoes…

Sometimes, you may find yourself with a huge bounty of green tomatoes and not enough time (or energy) to wait for them to ripen.

I totally get it, and in these cases, remember that embracing green isn’t a bad thing.

Green tomatoes actually have their own unique flavor and can be used in a variety of recipes, including green tomato chutney or fried green tomatoes. So, don’t feel guilty about cashing in early and enjoying them without the fuss.

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